Confrontation

"Harris, Mallory is not your wife and she is free to choose whoever she wants to be with." "She clearly told you when you were in St. David that you are just a friend to her and nothing else. Stop hoping for a better role in her life. I assure you, you'll be disappointed," Harris said sternly. Their conversation grew tense, and the café seemed to close in around them. Dominic's voice rose, "Harris, you're controlling Mallory! You're letting your jealousy cloud your judgment. Not everything you've found out is true." "Oh, is it? Listen, I know that you're still married while you tried to pursue Mallory in St. David. You never had a good intention from the start. How do you think Mallory will trust you?" Dominic scoffed like it was nothing of a heavy truth about him. "Don't act innocent, Mr. Thompson. May I remind you of the reason Mallory left the city and lives alone in St. David. You are the cause of her suffering and I was there when she needed company. And even now, you can't even give her the peaceful life that she and her daughter deserve." "Is that why you chose to create rumors about us to make our lives miserable and separate us?" "Harris, you are not good for Mallory. She and Harriet deserve someone who can give them peace and security." "And you think only you can give them those things? How dare you mention my daughter's name. I am Harriet's father and I can give her everything she needs." "You call yourself Harriet's father? Harris, I was there when she was born and you were not." "That does not make you the father of my daughter, Dominic. Harriet is my own flesh and blood. And don't forget that you volunteered to help Mallory in any way you can because you have a hidden agenda." "It's not what you think it is, Harris." "Oh really? Let's see how Mallory will react if she sees your true color. Dominic, I'm not gonna say this again. Leave my family alone." Harris remained resolute. He couldn't ignore the alarms going off in his head, warning him of potential danger. He knew he had to protect Mallory and their relationship at all costs, even if it meant confronting an adversary he barely knew. Dominic gritted his teeth out of frustration. He was desperate to win Mallory and Harriet's heart, leaving Harris alone and miserable. A dream that day for years and he can't give up easily. Harris carefully examined Dominic's striking appearance. Dominic, a tall and well-built man, exuded an air of confidence that commanded attention wherever he went. His masculine physique was evident in the way he carried himself, and his rugged good looks had an undeniable charm. With chiseled features and a strong jawline, he was undoubtedly a handsome man but Harris knew Dominic wouldn't beat him. It wasn't being too full of himself but just being confident. Despite knowing that Dominic was an accomplished man in his own right, Harris couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow better than Dominic, especially when it came to pursuing Mallory. He has all the advantages as Mallory and Harriet live with him. Besides, Dominic's company is considered to be just a start-up company while he is running an empire of the Thompson's Group. "Thanks for your time." With that, Harris stood up, leaving the café feeling victorious in his determination to shield Mallory from any harm. He thought it would be a waste of time to continue talking to Dominic. He is not worth his time. Dominic stared at Harris as he was leaving the cafe. He formed his hand into a fist out of anger. He left the café with a determined look on his face. Harris's words hadn't deterred him; instead, they had fueled his determination to win Mallory's favor once more. He knew he had a challenging task ahead, but he was prepared to do whatever it took. While Harris was away from home, Marian visited Harris's mansion to spend time with her granddaughter like she knew his schedule of leaving. This allowed her to meet with Mallory and, of course, to spend time with her beloved granddaughter, Harriet. "Miss Mallory, Mrs. Thompson is here," Betty said as Mallory prepared for Harriet's lunch. "It's okay Betty. Thanks for letting me know." "Grandma!!" Harriet squealed as soon as she saw Marian walk into the kitchen where they were about to have lunch. Harriet quickly ran to Marian who was carrying a gift. "Hi, my beautiful Harriet," Marian bent down to pick up her granddaughter. "Thank God, I can still carry you, my sweet girl." Harriet giggled in the embrace of her grandma. Mallory was watching from the kitchen and she couldn't devoid Harriet of such joy being with her grandma. She could remember how joyful the experience was for Harriet whenever her mom visited them in St. David. It only stopped when her mom was unable to travel. "This is for you," Marian handed the paper she brought. "Open it." Harriet was fast enough to tear the paper bag with her tiny fingers. "Wow," she squealed, seeing the new pink doll. "I have a new doll. Thank you, Grandma," Harriet kissed Marian's cheek. "Oh, you are such a sweet girl," Marian gently squeezed Harreiet's cheek. "Mommy, look, I have a new doll." Harriet showed her doll to her mom. "Wow, that's beautiful," Mallory praised. Marian looked at her, her eyes devoid of emotion. "Mom, can I play with grandma?" Harriet asked while Marian was still carrying her. "Of course, sweetie, but you need to eat lunch first." "I'll be at the garden, Harriet. After you eat lunch, you can find me so we can play." Mallory patiently had lunch with Harriet and never mentioned any tension between her and Marian to protect her daughter. Marian played with the little girl, and for a while, they enjoyed each other's company, their laughter filling the playroom. Unbeknownst to Harriet, the adults in her life were dealing with complex dilemmas that were far beyond her innocent understanding. Mallory, aware of the strained history between Marian and herself, decided to give them space to bond. She excused herself, quietly retreating to another part of the mansion, allowing Harriet to spend precious moments with her grandmother. It was a selfless act on Mallory's part, driven by her unwavering devotion to her daughter's happiness. As Marian prepared to leave, she couldn't resist addressing the ongoing tension in the Thompson family. She turned to Mallory, her voice laced with a hint of condescension. "Don't be too overconfident about being with my son, Mallory," she cautioned. "Even if Harris decides to marry you, I will never acknowledge you as my daughter-in-law." Mallory, standing tall and resolute, met Marian's gaze without flinching. She had anticipated such remarks and had already steeled herself for them. Her response was delivered with quiet determination. "I have no interest in Thompson's money, Marian. All I ever wanted was a father for my daughter, someone who would love her unconditionally. Whether or not you accept me is of no consequence to me. I won't try to change your opinion." Marian was taken aback by Mallory's unwavering resolve. It was a rare occurrence for someone to stand up to her in such a way. As she left the mansion, she couldn't help but reflect on the unyielding spirit of the woman who had captured her son's heart. Marian's departure left a lingering tension in the air, a reminder of the deep-seated differences between her and Mallory. The encounter had been civil on the surface, but beneath the pleasantries, it was evident that neither was willing to bend to the other's will. Mallory, however, was unshaken by the encounter. She had learned to navigate the complexities of her relationship with Harris's family, always keeping her daughter's best interests at heart. For Harriet's sake, she had chosen to embrace a peaceful coexistence rather than engage in futile conflicts.